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'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest picks a buyer

Seacrest sells his gated Hollywood Hills West estate for $11 million.

By Lauren Beale, Los Angeles Times

September 9, 2012

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Although it took almost two seasons of "American Idol" for Ryan Seacrest to select a buyer, the singing competition show host has sold his gated Hollywood Hills West estate for $11 million. He bought the property from two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker and actor Kevin Costner in 2006 for $11.5 million.

Remodeled during Seacrest's ownership, the 1974 Mediterranean belonged to Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss before Costner purchased it in 1995 for $2.7 million.

The 10,000-square-foot villa, which sits on nearly an acre of hilltop with canyon and city views, features a gym, a wine cellar and a screening room, as well as a tennis court and a swimming pool. Including the guesthouse, the property has six bedrooms and 61/2 bathrooms.

Seacrest, 37, has hosted "American Idol" since 2002. He was a "Today" special correspondent during the 2012 London Olympics.

It was recently announced that Seacrest is leaving his spot as "E! News" co-host. His producing credits include "Shahs of Sunset" (2012), "Food Revolution" (2010) and "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" (2007-10).

Seacrest first put the house on the market in 2010 at $14.95 million. He bought TV host Ellen DeGeneres' compound in Beverly Hills for $37.5 million this year.

He didn't exactly make a killing, but "Dexter" star Michael C. Hall has parted ways with his house in the Hollywood Hills for $1,937,500. The actor bought the property in 2008 for $1.75 million, public records show.

Once a 1933 Spanish-style home with a red tile roof, the house was modernized by mid-century architect Hal Levitt, who used it as his personal residence for four decades starting in 1964.

Large windows and a sliding glass door bring light into the vaulted-ceiling living room. The redesigned kitchen, which features Italian tile floors, opens to a patio with a fire pit. The backyard pool is described in the listing as "sleek and dexterous."

The 3,525-square-foot house features a gym, four bedrooms and five bathrooms. There are canyon views.

Hall, 41, has starred in the title role on "Dexter" since 2006 and was on HBO's "Six Feet Under" (2001-05). He will be in "Kill Your Darlings," a film set for release next year.

Jeff Kohl and Josh Myler of the Agency were the listing agents. Dustin Cumming of Hilton & Hyland represented the buyer.

One fewer distraction for new co-host?

Daytime talk-show co-host and Fox football analyst Michael Strahan and his fiancee, former model Nicole Murphy, have put a town house in Hermosa Beach up for sale at $1.849 million.

Set on a walk street within a block of the beach, the 2,560-square-foot custom house features two living rooms, an elevator, a rooftop deck, two master bedroom suites, another bedroom and four bathrooms.

Strahan, 40, is the new co-host with Kelly Ripa on "Live! With Kelly and Michael." He replaces longtime co-host Regis Philbin, who retired in November. The defensive end played for the New York Giants his entire NFL career, setting a record for sacks in a single season and retiring in 2008 after winning Super Bowl XLII. He starred in the 2009 TV series "Brothers."

Murphy, 44, was married to comedian Eddie Murphy from 1993 to 2006. She stars in the reality series "Hollywood Exes," which documents five high-profile women who are former wives of Hollywood A-listers or music icons.

Public records show Strahan bought the property in 2005 for $2.2 million.

The pair are selling because they don't spend much time at the house, according to listing agent Lee LeGrande of NW Real Estate Brokers.

Look for a set change on reality show

"Family Guy" writer and producer Gary Janetti has sold his house in the Hollywood Hills for $1.799 million.

The upgraded Midcentury-style house, designed by architect Michael Maltzan and built in 1965, sits on more than a quarter of an acre with views of the Hollywood Reservoir. Features include retractable walls of glass, an open plan interior and skylights. The 2,893-square-foot house has been featured on the reality show "It's a Brad, Brad World." There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a swimming pool.

Janetti was an executive producer on "Will and Grace" (2002-06) and appeared this year with Brad Goreski on "It's a Brad, Brad World," which has been renewed for a second season. He has worked on "Family Guy" since 1999.

Public records show he bought the property in 2001 for $1.2 million.

Dane Barry of Crosby Doe Associates was the listing agent. Rose Ware of Prudential California Realty in West Hollywood represented the buyer.

Room for a six-horse herd in Ojai

Actor Bruce McGill and his wife, Gloria Lee-McGill, have listed their gated house in the Ojai area at $1.675 million.

The Spanish Colonial Revival, built in 1987 and renovated in 2009, features hand-forged ironwork, a media room, a wine closet, decks, five bedrooms, five bathrooms and 4,013 square feet of living space. Outdoor amenities on the more than 2-acre equestrian site include a tennis court, a putting green, a sand volleyball court, a fire pit and a swimming pool with a spa. The lot is zoned for as many as six horses.

McGill, 62, played Jack Dalton on "MacGyver" (1986-92) and was in "Animal House" (1978), as well as "Delta House" (1979), the TV series based on the film. He is on the crime show "Rizzoli & Isles," which has been renewed for a fourth season.

Public records show the property was purchased in 2003 for $1.244 million.